Recognition for women in finance
In a male-dominated industry, two of the three fellows named at this year’s INFINZ Awards are women. Independent director MaryJane Daly, former chief financial officer of IAG New Zealand and head of State Insurance, was one of three fellows and one distinguished fellow announced at last Thursday’s finance industry awards.
Daly had a strong background in banking and finance, before taking on a career in governance. She is now an independent director at Kiwi Property, Cigna New Zealand and Auckland Transport, and deputy chair of Airways Corporation.
The fellowships recognise individuals who have been successful and made a contribution to the finance and capital markets industry.
Daly said she was delighted to have been named a fellow.
“I think it’s quite a special award because there haven’t been that many given out over the years,” she said. “It’s always particularly special when you are recognised by your peers and other people you have great respect for.” The judges said Daly served as a role model for women in finance who were seeking to build their careers in banking, finance and governance. Maree Webster, chief financial officer, core and group productivity, at Westpac in Australia, was also named a fellow for her contribution to the industry. She is one of very few women to have been CFO of a listed New Zealand company.
Judges said the former CFO of Tower Insurance and head of BT Group was instrumental in creating the country’s conduit tax regime.
The other fellow named last week was Scott St John, for his leadership of First NZ Capital.
St John had been at the forefront of the brokerage industry for the past decade and his work had underpinned capital markets capability, judges said.
Investment banker Rob Cameron was named a distinguished fellow for his leadership of the Capital Markets Development Task Force and the legislation that followed.
Daly said Cameron’s distinguished fellowship was very well deserved.
“Rob Cameron is somebody I’ve always held very high regard for, and I’ve had the opportunity to work for him over the years and I think he’s contributed a huge amount to the finance sector and it was entirely appropriate that he had the recognition of being a distinguished fellow.”
Cameron was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014.